Response to UN SPT report

22 December 2023

The ACT NPM welcomes the release of the UN Subcommittee for Prevention of Torture’s (SPT) report on its terminated October 2022 visit to Australia, and the Australian Government’s response.

It is clear that there is more Australia must do to implement the Optional Protocol Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

We also welcome calls in the report for Federal, state and territory governments to enact legislation to guarantee the NPM’s functions, independence and powers; and for the NPM to be adequately funded to protect people in detention from risks of torture, abuse and ill treatment.

We are also pleased to see that the SPT recommends increasing the minimum age of criminal responsibility; and banning the use of spithoods in all places of detention. In 2023, ACT NPM members successfully advocated for change on both these issues in the ACT.

We will now examine the report, and the Australian Government’s response in more detail, and will continue to advocate for OPCAT to be fully implemented in the ACT and Australia.